16 Mar 2020 12:39

Russia, Turkey discussing delivery of extra S-400 batch - FSMTC head

MOSCOW. March 16 (Interfax) - Russia hopes to reach an agreement on the delivery of an additional batch of S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems to Turkey in the foreseeable future, Director of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugayev said in an interview with Interfax.
"The possibility of delivering an additional batch of S-400 systems to Turkey is on the agenda. It has not been removed. We are agreeing the system's composition, a delivery timeline, and other terms," he said.
"Negotiations are currently under way, and we hope to find a common denominator in the foreseeable future," Shugayev said.
"This is a matter for the foreseeable future. I'd like to repeat once again that no one has removed this issue. There is no reason to say that we have 'shelved' this project and it is not on the agenda," he said.
Turkey may take a certain part in manufacturing an additional batch of S-400 systems that Russia and Turkey are currently discussing, Shugayev said.
"The option envisions the Turkish side's certain participation in the production process. I'd call it this way. But I wouldn't disclose any details for now either. I don't want to announce something that has not yet been fully decided," he said.
"The only thing I can say is that such cooperation will not cause any harm to our national security. In this case, we are acting with our eyes open to everything. We have looked into all issues, and we understand that such cooperation should be mutually profitable, but, at the same time, should not run counter to the country's interests," he said.
Speaking about the timeline for putting S-400 systems into service, he said that Russia has no right to influence Turkey in this regard.
"Turkey itself will decide when it will put the S-400 systems into service. We are not influencing this in any way, nor can we prompt it or slow it down. The systems have been transferred and combat crews have been trained," he said.
The Pentagon said on March 10 that the Turkish authorities should return the earlier procured S-400 systems to Russia if Ankara wanted to receive Patriot systems from the United States.